Healthy food is a right for all children.
According to the United Nations’ World Food Program, 1 in 9 people, including 13 million children worldwide, do not have enough to eat. While it’s easy to think of these global statistics as distant from ourselves, affecting primarily third world and conflict-affected countries, this statistic sits on our own front porch. Today, there are 34,260 children in Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon and Kent Counties that do not have reliable access to healthy food. Food insecurity is a complex issue that affects West Michigan daily.
What Does Kids’ Food Basket Do?
Kids’ Food Basket exists to nourish children to reach their full potential. In our 20 years of operation, we have evolved to break down barriers to food insecurity at the systemic level. Our current programs can be sorted into four main categories:
- Sack Suppers. Our flagship nutritious evening meals are prepped, packed and delivered with love by our amazing community of volunteers. This year, KFB is serving 10,000 Sack Suppers each school day to children in 60 schools across West Michigan. Each bag contains healthy fruit, vegetables, protein and a healthy snack.
- Community-Driven Farming. Since 2017, we have proudly owned and operated our own 10-acre synthetic chemical-free farm in Kent County. This farm, lovingly tended by staff and volunteers, produces over 150,000 servings of produce and is home to 20 beehives. In 2022, we broke ground on a second 10-acre farm in Holland. Kids’ Food Basket Farm Ottawa + Allegan on the Ridge will have its first full growing season in 2023 and is on track to double our production of vegetables and fruits in the next three to five years.
- Community Support. We are proud to support 11 community partners with fresh produce, educational opportunities and ongoing support. This season, our partners saw two Community Partner U-Pick days in addition to a reliable, weekly supply of fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits to further increase healthy food access.
- Educational Programming. The needle of food equity moves when kids are connected to where their food comes from. KFB Learn is proud to offer a variety of educational experiences on-site and online through the Ground Up Learning Lab. From rich on-site field trips to award-winning online lessons, kids focus on community engagement, learning how to grow fresh and nourishing food at home and how to make healthy lifestyle habits.
How Can I Help to Nourish Children in West Michigan?
This work takes all of us. How can you support our mission to ensure that all children in West Michigan have access to healthy food?
- Volunteer. Whether it is decorating bags, packing suppers or seasonal work on the farm, hundreds of daily volunteers are the heart and engine of the organization. Whether you come in to volunteer regularly or just once, we would love to have you! Are you a family looking to volunteer together or a student looking to make an impact? You’re in great company; just less than one-third of our volunteers are under the age of 18!
- Donate. Monthly or one-time donations help ensure that we can help our community’s children thrive for years to come. Donations of all sizes help nourish the community, and can be made in stock, USD and cryptocurrency.
- Advocate. Become a community champion! Follow us on social, and let your network know that you support us by liking and sharing posts. Do you have an employer or company that seeks to support a local charity? We love partnering with local businesses in a variety of ways. Send them our way!
- Save the Date. Join us for a delicious meal, a fun run, a farm festival and much more! We are proud to offer a variety of events for the community each year. Find a full calendar of events here.
We have come a long way since serving our first healthy meal to children in 2002, and we are grateful to the community that has enabled us to continue this critical work. Please consider joining us in whatever way is meaningful to you. We hope to see you soon!
